HotForex Review

HotForex is a MetaTrader-only broker offering market-maker execution across a confusing selection of seven different account types. With a limited selection of tradeable products and only a slightly enhanced MetaTrader offering, HotForex provides a mixed offering.

• Founded in 2010, HotForex is a MetaTrader broker. Customers have access to just over 100 securities, and limitations apply; for example, crypto CFDs can only be traded on weekdays.
• HotForex is regulated but has only tier-1 license, has only been operating for nine years, and overall trails Trust leaders like IG, Saxo Bank, and CMC Markets.
• With seven different account type options, pricing at HotForex varies greatly by account type. At best, HotForex's pricing is slightly better than the industry standard; however, pricing still trails low-cost leaders such as CMC Markets and FOREX.com.
• HotForex offers the full MetaTrader suite with an optional tools package for customers called Premium Trader Tools to enhance the default experience. Compared to other top-rated MetaTrader brokers, HotForex MT4 is respectable, but not award-winning.
• Less the addition of AutoChartist, market research is far from challenging industry leaders such as Saxo Bank and IG. Social copy trading with HotForex also failed to impress.

Is HotForex Safe?

HotForex is considered average-risk, with an overall Trust Score of 80 out of 99. HotForex is not publicly traded and does not operate a bank. HotForex is authorised by one tier-1 regulator (high trust), three tier-2 regulators (average trust), and two tier-3 regulators (low trust). HotForex is authorised by the following tier-1 regulator: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Learn more about Trust Score.

Regulations Comparison

Offering of Investments

The following table summarizes the different investment products available to HotForex clients.

Commissions & Fees

HotForex offers seven account types, ranging from Micro to VIP, as well as accounts with fixed spreads, and two accounts dedicated to copy trading. Based on the data displayed by HotForex, our best guess is that the Zero and Fixed accounts are the most popular.

Comparisons: On the Zero account, spreads are lower but margin requirements are twice as high as the Premium account, where spreads are 1 pip. Similarly, the minimum deposit for HotForex’s VIP account is $20,000 and provides variable spreads as low as zero pips, yet has higher margin rates compared to the Fixed, Micro and Premium accounts.

Published data: We’d like to see an average spread published for a given period as it is hard to quantify a zero spread that is variable. However, the broker does list typical spreads for its other related account offerings, as seen in the snapshot below.

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Platforms & Tools

HotForex is a MetaTrader broker that offers the entire MetaTrader suite, including both MT4 and MT5 desktop and web. The desktop version supports automated trading systems known as Experts through the MQL4 signals community.

While MetaTrader4 comes standard, HotForex does provide customers an optional suite of trader tools, called Premium Trader Tools, developed by FX Blue Labs. Highlights from the 12 tools provided in the package include Trade Terminal for advanced order execution, Connect for news, Alarm Manager for alerts, and additional technical indicators like renko bars, pivot points, and order history.

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Research

HotForex provides research resources that include analysis and trading tools incorporating in-house solutions and content from third-party providers. Forex News is provided by FxStreet, and trading signals generated by automated pattern recognition are available from Autochartist. Overall, research is on par with the industry standard.

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Mobile Trading

MT4 comes standard on Android and iOS. Scoring for this category matches that of other MetaTrader-only brokers.

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Final Thoughts

HotForex is suitable for traders looking for a MetaTrader only broker that has a handful of additional upgrades from the standard, default setup. Alongside a small range of markets for a multi-asset brokers, we'd like to see HotForex publish its average spreads across all its account types to help make an equal comparison between its various pricing offers.

About HotForex

HotForex is a MetaTrader-only broker offering market-maker execution across a mixed account offering where commissions, spreads and margin rates vary considerably.

Founded in 2010, HotForex operates as a unified brand of the HF Markets Group, and maintains a regulatory status in Europe via Cyprus under its HF Markets (Europe) Ltd entity. It is also represented in several emerging regulatory hubs such as South Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, St. Vincent and The Grenadines.

2019 Review Methodology

For our 2019 Forex Broker Review we assessed, rated, and ranked 28 international forex brokers over a six month time period. Each broker was graded on 81 different variables and, in total, over 60,000 words of research were produced.

While encouraged, broker participation was optional. Each broker had the opportunity to complete an in-depth data profile and provide executive time (live in person or over the web) for an annual update meeting.

All data submitted by brokers is hand-checked for accuracy. Ultimately, our rigorous data validation process yields an error rate of less than .1% each year, providing site visitors quality data they can trust. Learn more about how we test.

Forex Risk Disclaimer

"There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities. With respect to margin-based foreign exchange trading, off-exchange derivatives, and cryptocurrencies, there is considerable exposure to risk, including but not limited to, leverage, creditworthiness, limited regulatory protection and market volatility that may substantially affect the price, or liquidity of a currency or related instrument. It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable, or that they will not result in losses." Learn more.